On the sixth night of Chanukah, over a hundred members of the JLIC Tel Aviv community gathered with their cherished friends from Kibbutz Nir Am at Pantera near Sarona Market for an evening that embodied the true spirit of the holiday – bringing light to darkness. What began in late 2023 as a relationship between hosts and evacuees had transformed over the months into deep and lasting friendships. The Nir Am community members, initially seeking refuge in Tel Aviv, became integral parts of the JLIC family, sharing in both challenges and celebrations throughout the year. This celebration, aptly named “Lights in the Darkness II,” served as a testament to these strengthened bonds and the resilience fostered through their shared experiences.
The evolution of this partnership illustrated the power of community in times of crisis. What started as JLIC Tel Aviv opening their homes and hearts to displaced families blossomed into genuine friendships that transcended the circumstances of their initial meeting. Throughout 2024, they celebrated holidays together, shared in each other’s simchas, and supported one another through difficult times. These weren’t just guests anymore – they were friends and family coming together to mark another milestone in their collective journey.
The evening began with a bittersweet announcement from Rav Joe. Many Nir Am residents couldn’t attend due to increased rocket attacks in their area – a harsh reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by communities near the Gaza border. Yet, in true JLIC fashion, the community transformed this setback into an opportunity for meaningful connection. Through a partnership with Makers of Israel and the generous support of a donor, attendees participated in a special card-writing initiative. Beautiful cards, created by evacuated children, were distributed throughout the evening, with all proceeds supporting displaced communities. Each absent Nir Am resident was remembered through personal messages of support and encouragement.
The celebration was a vibrant mixture of joy and reflection. The evening began with communal candle lighting and dinner that brought comfort and connection. Spontaneous dancing lifted spirits, and a photo booth captured moments of genuine joy amid challenging times. As the festivities were winding down, a missile siren briefly interrupted the gathering. Even in this moment, the community’s resilience shone through. After ensuring everyone’s safety, attendees embraced each other with renewed appreciation for the precious moments of celebration they had shared throughout the evening.
A highlight of the evening came when Noam Roffman, a member of Kibbutz Nir Am’s security team, shared his powerful testimony. Having fought to protect hundreds during the October 7th attack and subsequently attended 104 funerals, his words carried the weight of both tragedy and hope. “During that uncertainty, when the institutions we relied on seemed distant, you showed up,” he reflected, acknowledging how JLIC Tel Aviv’s consistent support helped restore faith in human kindness and community strength.
The following night, JLIC Tel Aviv demonstrated their commitment to healing through another meaningful gathering. In partnership with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, they organized a special evening for families of hostages. At Klayla studio, children immersed themselves in therapeutic clay and ceramics activities, finding moments of creative expression and joy. The celebration continued at Rav Joe and Corinne’s home, where the warmth of community embraced these families struggling with unimaginable circumstances.
One of the event organizers captured the evening’s profound duality: “In the midst of our Chanukah celebration, we witnessed light and shadow intertwined. Children’s laughter echoed through the rooms as they decorated sufganiyot and snapped endless polaroid photos, while their parents carried an unspeakable weight. As one mother confided, ‘I’m standing here, but I’m not really here. I forgot what it’s like to laugh.’ It was a stark reminder that while we cannot erase their pain, we can ensure they don’t walk through it alone. Through simple acts of community – creative activities at Klaya, music from Effie and Yonadav, and the joy of children just being children – we held space for both their grief and their hope.”
Rav Joe reflected on the evening with deep gratitude: “Such a huge zekhut to host around a dozen hostage families and their beautiful children in our home this evening.”
The spirit of JLIC Tel Aviv’s community service was further demonstrated during the holiday when unexpected challenges threatened to dampen children’s Chanukah celebrations. When torrential rain forced the cancellation of a planned funfair carnival at the Carlton Hotel for evacuee children, the community sprang into action. Rather than let hundreds of children face disappointment, a dedicated team including Hillel Gontownik, Raquel Benaim, Juliette Bergwerk, and Sarah Brasky quickly reorganized their efforts. Within hours, they transformed the setback into an opportunity, bringing sufganiyot and festivities directly to four different hotels housing evacuee families. This rapid response and flexibility exemplified JLIC Tel Aviv’s unwavering commitment to supporting displaced communities and ensuring that even in temporary shelters, children could experience the joy of Chanukah.
As we enter 2025, these Chanukah celebrations stand as powerful symbols of JLIC Tel Aviv’s role in nurturing community resilience. They demonstrate how acts of kindness, both large and small, can illuminate the darkest times. In the glow of the Chanukah lights, the community affirmed their commitment to supporting one another until all hostages return home and peace is restored.
May these gatherings serve as stepping stones toward healing and hope, reminding us that even in our most challenging moments, the light of human connection and compassion continues to shine brightly, guiding us toward a future of peace and unity for all of Am Yisrael.
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